Type locking means for marking mechanism



g 17, 1948. s. H. ROSENLOF 2,447,030

TYPE LOCKING MEANS FOR MARKING MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l r r. III

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J 69w ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 17, 1948 TYPE LOCKING MEANS FOR MARKING MECHANISM Application June 25, 1945, Serial No. 661,450

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a marking mechanism for a machine for marking containers or can parts and has particular reference to an improved marking head havingmanually operable devices for locking the various members of the head in operative position.

An object of the invention is the provision of a marking mechanism having a marking head utilizing interchangeable marking elements wherein the marking elements are secured against accidental displacement from the head by manually operable latch devices arranged for rapid and easy manipulation so that quick change-over from one marking pattern to another may be readily effected.

Another object is the provision of a marking head for such a mechanism wherein the head. is made up from a plurality of simple and inexpensive parts which may be quickly assembled and locked in position to form a unitary head structure.

Another object is the provision in a marking mechanism of this character, of devices for holding the head in a predetermined location on its actuating member while permitting of quick and easy removal of the entire head if necessary;

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a marking mechanism embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away and parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a part side view and part sectional view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the marking heads used in the mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the broken line 4-i in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective View of principal parts of the mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the assembled marking heads; and

Fig. '7 is an enlarged perspective view of a type element or block used in the marking unit.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a rotary marking mechanism for embossing a desired mark pattern or indicia on sheet metal can ends A fed through the mechanism in a continuous procession. The mechanism may form a part of a more elaborate machine and is equally well elements engage against and are adapted to printing or other marking and to many types of articles other than can ends.

The mechanism includes a pair of rotatable marking heads 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) disposed in a vertical position, one above the other and in spaced relation. These marking heads are removably mounted on the inner ends of a pair of spaced and parallel actuating shafts 22 which are journaled in bearings 23 formed in a frame which may be the main frame or a sub-frame of the machine to which the marking mechanism is attached. The shafts may be rotated continuously or intermittently as desired in any suitable manner.

The shafts 22 rotate in opposite directions and thus revolve the marking heads Zl toward each other in unison. During this rotation of the heads the can ends to be marked are propelled in any suitable manner along a horizontal path of travel extending between the heads. While passing along this path of travel the can ends are supported in a pair of grooved runway rails or tracks 25 which are secured to the frame. Movement of thecan ends is effected in time with the rotation of the heads so that the heads simultaneously engage opposite sides of the can end and thus impress into it the desired mark.

This marking of the can ends is effected preferably by type elements or blocks 3] (see also Figs. 3, 6 and '7) which are carried in the marking heads. The type elements in one head are of raised character while those in the other head are depressed for cooperation in embossing the mark in the can ends. The type elements in each head are mounted in the same manner so it is thought a description of one head will sufi'ice for both.

The type elements 3! are arranged in their marking head in a plurality of rows disposed side by side in a substantially rectangular recess 32 formed in the marking end of the head. The bottom of the recess is formed with a seat 33 for the support of the type elements in a radial position. The sides of the outer rows of the supported by side walls 34, 35 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) of the head. The ends of the rows of elements are supported by separate insert blocks .36, 31 which extend transversely of the head.

The insert block 36 is disposed in substantially radial slots 5! (Fig. 5) formed across the top of the marking head and is held in place by end tongues 42 which extend into the slots 4!. The block is locked in place by a pin d3 (Fig. l) which extends through the head and into a hole 44 formed in the block. The insert block 31 on the other side of the head is disposed in a seat 45 formed in the head. This block is held in place by end tongues 46 which extend from the block into substantially radial slots 41 formed in the head side walls 34, 35. The block is locked against displacement by a pin 48 which extends through the block and into a hole 49 formed in the head.

The rows of type elements 3| are retained in separated position by separator bars or elements 52 (Fig. 2) which extend along the rows of type v and which are disposed in narrow slots 53 cut in the curved seat 33 in the head. The separator bars are permanently secured in place by a pin 54 which extends through the head and through the sides of the bars.

Provision is made for locking the type elements 3| in such a manner that they may be radially released forremoval and replacement individually or in groups to alter the marking pattern if desired. For this purpose the type is formed with locking ledges 55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7) which extend beyond the sidesof the type adjacent their bases and these type are held in place by locking levers 56 (Figs. 1 and 6) which are hingeably disposedacross their ledges.

There is one looking lever '56 for each row of type. One end of each lever extends into a corresponding slot 58 formed in the insert block 35. These ends of all the levers, that is the pivot ends, are mounted on a pivot pin 59 which extends across the full Width of the insert block 3-6 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and which fits tightly in aligned holes 6| (Fig. 5) formed in the insert block and extending through the slotted section of the block.

The opposite free end of each locking lever 56 extends into one of a number of slots 65 formed in the insert block 31. The free ends are formed with depending latch hooks 66 which are engageable withsimilar hooks 61 formed on manually operable catch or latch fingers 68. There is one of these. latch fingers for each locking lever and the latch fingers are disposed in the slots. 55. All

of the latch fingers are mounted on a pivot pin 69 which extends across the. full width of the insert block 31 and the head 21 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and which fits tightly in aligned holes 11, 12 (Fig. 5) formed in the insert block 31 and the head 2| and extending through the slotted section of the block.

Each latch finger 68 is formed with a hollow releasing button 14 (Figs. 1 and 4) which is partially disposed in a button recess v formedin the insert block 31 at the lower end of each of the slots 65. A compression spring 16 interposed between each releasing button and the insert block keeps the hooks 61 of the latch fingers in looking engagement with the hooks on the locking levers 56 when the latter are in closed position against the ledges 55 of the type elements 31. This securely holds the type in place. A seat orrecess 11 for each spring is providedin the insert block. 7

When it is desired to change or rearrange the type elements 3|, it is only necessary to press against the latch button 14 of the latch finger 68 that is holding the particular locking lever 56 which it is desired to open and this pressure releases the latch hook 61 from the locking lever hook 66. The released locking lever may thereupon be hinged open on its pivot pin 59 to a position as best shown in Fig. 6. This opening of the locking lever exposes the ledges 55 of the entire row of type elements controlled by this lever. Re-

moval and replacement. of any or all of the type elements in this row can then be made without disturbing in any way the type elements in the other adjoining rows.

After the desired interchange of type elements is made the locking lever is swung back into closed position to lock these type elements in place. In closing the lever its hook automatically reengages with the latch hook B1 snapping in place against the resistance of its spring 16. The unit is thus re-locked against accidental opening.

Changing of the type elements 3| in a head 2! is more readily effected when the heads are removed .from their actuating shafts, especially if these heads. are located in a crowded portion of the machine on which the marking mechanism is used. For this purpose head locating and locking feature are provided on the shafts to facilitate quick and easy removal and replacement of the entire head from and onto its shaft.

Locating of the heads in a predetermined position on the shafts is brought about by a tongue and groove-connection between the head and the shaft on which it is mounted. For this purpose each of the shafts 22 is formed with an integral flange or collar which is spaced from its inner end a distanoesubstantially equal to the width of the head. The flange or collar is cut away on two opposite edges shaping the flange as an elongated tongue 81 (Figs. 2 and 5). The side edges of the tongue arestraight while the end edges are curved. These tongues are adapted to fit into a wide groove 82 (see also Fig. 3) formed in one face of each marking head 21. When the heads are pushed onto the ends of the shafts they look over the shaft tongues and this holds the heads against rotation relative to their shafts.

Endwise displacement of the marking heads 21 relative to the shafts is prevented by a key 84 (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6) having a pull ring 85 formed integrally therewith. There is one of these keys for'each shaft 22 They are disposed adjacent the inner ends of the shafts and are formed with round shanks 86 which extend into clearance bores-81 formed-in the shafts longitudinally of the shaitaxes. A retaining collar 88 threadedly secured-in the end of each shaft surrounds the shank and retains it against displacement therefrom. The inner ends of the shanks are threaded and carry nuts 89 which confine compression springs 9| which surround the shanks and which are interposed between the nuts and the retaining collars.

The key 84 is slightly wider than the diameter of the shaft 22 and thus extends outside of the shaft on both sides. Hence in order to telescope a marking head 21 over the key to position it on its shaft, clearance grooves 92 are provided in the head for its passage over the key. When the key is in head locking position the outer sides of the pull ring 85 are seated in a pair of oppositely disposed notches 93 cut in the face of the head, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The spring 9| keeps the key seated in these notches.

Hence when it is desired to remove a head 2| from its shaft 22 it is merely necessary to pull outwardly on the pull ring 85 against the resistance of the spring Hi to unseat the key 84 from its notches 93. While the key is thus pulled out and unseated 'it is given a slight rotation to bring it into alignment with the clearance grooves 92 in the head. With the key in this position the entire head maybe Withdrawn from its shaft 22. When a head is to be returned to its shaft, the same steps in reverse order are effected and the head is once again securely locked in position. Locating the key 8! within the wide groove 82 of the head at such a time properly locates the head on the shaft.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, the combination of a marking head having a recess therein for receiving a type marking element provided with a looking ledge extending completely thereacross, said head including oppositely disposed replaceable block members each having a slot therein, said block members being removably secured to said head and together constituting opposite end walls of said recess, a locking member pivotally mounted on said head and movable into and out of embracing engagement with the ledge of said marking element for locking said marking element in said head recess against displacement therefrom when the locking member is in a closed position and for releasing the marking element for easy removal from said head when said locking member is in a displaced position, the pivotal mounting of said locking member extending through the said slot of one of said block members, and spring pressed latch means pivotally mounted in said head and engageable with said locking member in its closed locking position for removably holding the member against accidental displacement.

2. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, the combination of a marking head having a recess therein for receiv ing a type marking element provided with a locking ledge extending completely thereacross, said head including oppositely disposed replaceable block members each having a slot therein, said block members being removably secured to said head and together constituting the opposite end walls of said recess, a locking lever hingeable into and out of embracing engagement with the ledge of said marking element for locking said marking element in said head recess against displacement thereform when the locking lever is in a closed position and for releasing the marking element for easy removal from said head when said lever is in an open position, a pivotal mounting for said locking lever removably disposed in said head and extending through the said slot of one of said block members for quick replacement thereof, and spring pressed latch means pivotally mounted in said head for securing said locking lever in its closed locking position against accidental opening, the pivotal mounting of said latch means extending through the said slot of the other of said block members.

3. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, the combination of a marking head having a recess therein for receiving a type marking element provided with a locking ledge, spaced block members removably mounted in said head and together constituting opposite end walls of said type element receiving recess, a locking lever pivotally mounted in one of said block members in said head and hingeable into and out of embracing engagement with the ledge of said marking element for holding said marking element in said head recess against displacement therefrom when the lever is in a closed position and for releasing the marking element for easy removal from said head When the lever is in an open position and a latch member pivotally mounted on the other of said block members in said head and engageable with the free end of said locking lever when the latter is in its closed position for locking the lever against accidental opening.

4. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, the combination of a marking head having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of rows of separate type marking elements respectively provided with aligned locking ledges extending completely thereacross, separator elements secured in said head and disposed between the rows of type elements for maintaining them in a spaced relation, spaced lock members removably mounted in said head and together constituting opposite end walls of said type element receiving recess, a plurality of locking levers pivotally mounted in said head and to one of said block members, said levers being separably hingeable into and out of engagement with the aligned ledges of said rows of said type elements for locking said rows in said head recess against displacement therefrom when the levers are in closed position and for releasing the type elements for easy removal from said head when the levers are swung to open position, and a plurality of latch members, one for each locking lever, pivotally mounted on said head and on the other of said block members, said latch members being separably and individually engageable with said locking levers when the latter are disposed in closed position for selectively locking the levers against accidental opening,

5. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, said mechanism including a rotatable marking head having a recess therein for receiving a type marking element, and means for rotating said head, the improvement comprising said ledge extending completely across the marking element, a locking lever pivotally mounted in said head and hingeable into and out of embracing engagement with said ledge of said marking element for holding said marking element in said head recess against displacement therefrom when the lever is in a closed locking position and for releasing the marking element for easy removal from said head when the lever is swung to open position, a latch member pivotally mounted intermediate its ends within the confines of said head and normally engaging the free endof said lever for securing the latter in its closed type element holding position against accidental opening during rotation of said head, and spring means engaging the opposite end of said latch member for normally holding the same in locking engagement with said lever, whereby depression of said spring engaged end of said latch member swings the same on its pivot against the tension of the spring to release the latch member from its holding engagement with said type element locking lever.

6. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking container parts, the combination of a marking head having a recess for receiving a type marking element provided with a locking ledge extending across the element and inwardly spaced from its marking face, a locking lever pivotally mounted at one end on said head and outwardly swingable from a closed locking position inside of said marking element face in embracingengagement with said element ledge and released positicn out of engagement with said ledge and outside oi said marking ,face for easy removalof the marking element from said head, and a latch member pivotally mounted Within the confines of said head and engageable with the free end of said locking lever when it is inside of the marking face of said marking element for holding the lever against accidental opening.

SVEN H. ROSENLOF.

REFERENCES CITED The foiiow-ing references are of record in the this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sharron Oct. 24, 1922 Number Number Number 

